25 Years / 25 Stories
In 2008, the Minnesota AIDS Project marked its 25th year of service in the ongoing fight against HIV and AIDS. It was a milestone that was not celebrated but rather marked with stories of people whose lives have been touched by HIV.
On December 1, 2007, in observance of World AIDS Day, we posted our first story. Over the year, a new story was posted every other week that recognized significant moments, people, or programs that has made a difference within our state. Within these stories you'll find a wide range of perspectives and emotions that tell tales of victories and demonstrate how far we have yet to go in order to end HIV.
Throughout the year, the organization documented many stories of people working to stop HIV in Minnesota. In our last story, 25: What's Your Story?, we marked the end of our 25th year of service and ask you to think about your story and how you can make a difference.
The Minnesota AIDS Project wishes to thank all of our supporters, clients, employees, and other friends for their commitment and dedication over the years. It has been a long road and there is a path that remains in front of us, but we will walk together and reach our goal.
01: Bruce Brockway
The first Minnesotan with HIV. Read more...
02: A New Era in HIV Prevention
The HIV epidemic is not one, but many epidemics that continue to evolve. Read more...
03: HIV in My Family
A personal experience with HIV. Read more...
04: A Mother Diagnosed
Ebony has children, grandchildren, and she has HIV. Being a parent strengthens Ebony's resolve to always be there for her children and to help people with HIV strive forward with their lives after a diagnosis. Read story...
05: A Call for Help
The Minnesota AIDS Project AIDSLine is a critical service that provides HIV prevention information, risk assessment, and advocacy resources to over 3,000 people annually. Learn more about the AIDSLine and how it helps fight HIV in Minnesota. Read story...
06: Struggling for a Reason
Mary shares her story about losing her parents to HIV. Seventy years old and married for fifty years, Mary's parents are not the most typical case of HIV. But yet, we can see from this story that HIV affects diverse types people in a host of unexpected ways. Mary's mother received case management services and other support from the Minnesota AIDS Project. Read more...
07: Making a Difference as a Community
In this story, we hear about how volunteers at the Minnesota AIDS Project make our work possible as well as reasons why you should get involved. Read more...
08: Diagnosis – Now What?
Paul, a member of Positive Link, shares his story of diagnosis and moving forward despite the obstacle that HIV presents. Read more...
09: The First Steps of the Minnesota AIDS Walk
Over 20 years ago, as HIV took the lives of Minnesotans, a desire to help sparked the birth of an event that continues to grow and help those living with HIV. As the 21st Minnesota AIDS Walk draws near, we look back to the beginning and highlight those that stepped forward to work and stop HIV. Read more...
10: A Legacy Alive
In this story, Melissa shares how she experienced her grandfather's struggle with HIV and how it gave her a pressing desire to educate others about HIV and advocate for change. Read more...
11: A True Test
Why should I test for HIV? We know, and research has shown, that those who know their status take steps to not infect others and protect themselves against reinfection. This story addresses the importance of testing and how views on testing have changed since the first diagnoses of AIDS. Read more...
12: What About the Future?
In our 12th story, Nick Schrott shares his experiences following his diagnosis. As a generation Y young adult, Nick's experience is quite different from those who faced HIV when the epidemic first began. Read more...
13: A Community Stands Together
This year is the 10th anniversary of PrideAlive. Find out how PrideAlive has evolved from its original Cafe Chats to its current set of programs, including HIV testing and outreach at local gay bars and clubs. Read more...
14: Why Candice Wiggins Cares About HIV
In this story, Minnesota Lynx guard Candice Wiggins shares her personal experiences of HIV impacting her life and how it has influenced her in chasing her dream as a professional athlete. Read more...
15: A Man on a Mission
Read this story to hear about the Minnesota AIDS Project's success with its needle exchange program, along with the story of Bill Main, the inspiration and effort behind the creation of the program. Read more...
16: Why You?
In our 16th story, we ask a committed Minnesota AIDS Project volunteer, Kent Kyllo, why he works to fight HIV. "I am concerned that AIDS has dropped off the public radar," Kent says, "and I for one don't want an epidemic to be the reason for people to pay attention again." Read more...
17: Minnesota's Leadership
In this story, we look at the Minnesota AIDS Project's long history of advocating for effective HIV policy. Learn about our early efforts, such as fighting the criminalization of HIV, as well as more recent successes, including funding HIV prevention programs targeted at immigrant communities. Read more...
18: Every Penny Counts in the Fight Against HIV
Check out this story to see how the Every Penny Counts Emergency Assistance program has positively affected the lives of many living with HIV through direct financial support. Read more...
19: On the Front Lines
In this story, we talk about the Minnesota AIDS Project's street–based outreach effort. Learn more about this program and the work of Roger Moore, a man who reaches out to many people that much of society looks past. Read more...
20: No Longer Alone
Check out this story to hear about the Minnesota AIDS Project staff Gerry Tyrrell's Life Enhancement Program evolved from its beginnings in 1988 to our current program, Positive Link. Learn about how the program developed and where it is looking to go. Read more...
21: A Voice for Many
In our 21st story, we look at the Minnesota AIDS Project's legal program and some of the important legal cases in which MAP has fought for the rights of those living with HIV. Read more...
22: The Evolution of an Agency
In this story, we take a broader look at the Minnesota AIDS Project. Learn how the agency has grown from the vision of a small group of dedicated volunteers, including Bruce Brockway who was the first Minnesotan with HIV, to the state's largest AIDS service organization. Read more...
23: A Clear Vision
Our 23rd story looks at the mission and vision of the Minnesota AIDS Project, along with what sets the organization apart from other service organizations. Patrick Troska, a current board member of the Minnesota AIDS Project, shares his thoughts on why he's passionate about HIV advocacy. Read more...
24: In This Together
In this story, we focus on the story of Lois Crenshaw, a woman who spoke publicly about her HIV diagnosis at a time when there was immense fear of the virus and discrimination against those who had it. Read more...
25: What's Your Story?
Throughout the year, the organization has documented many stories of people working to stop HIV in Minnesota. In our last story, we mark the end of our 25th year of service and ask you to think about your story and how you can make a difference. Read more...
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